Princes get back Diana photos and letters taken by Burrell

Personal possessions belonging to Princes William and Harry that were seized by police from the former butler of Diana, Princess of Wales, have been returned to them, it emerged yesterday.

After lengthy legal negotiations, agreement has been reached on all but a handful of the hundreds of items which have been held by Scotland Yard since the butler, Paul Burrell, was arrested.

Mr Burrell, who was acquitted of theft last year after his trial collapsed, is understood to have received only a few items, including handbags and dresses which he maintained were gifts to his wife Maria from the Princess.

Most of the remaining items, which make up the majority of the 310 possessions seized by police, are understood to have been returned to the Spencer family home at Althorp. They are understood to include letters, personal photographs, silver and crockery.

The Spencers did not wish to comment yesterday, but a source close to the family said: "They are obviously relieved that the matter has been resolved and these items are back in their rightful place."

Three parties are believed to have been involved in the negotiations: Mr Burrell, who is understood to have asked to keep several dozen items; the Spencer family acting for Diana's estate; and the Royal Collection on behalf of the Queen.

It is thought that there was little dispute about who should receive which possessions.

Only about four or five items remain in dispute, including pieces of jewellery and sensitive video tapes in which the Princess reminisces about her childhood and in which she is said to discuss intimate details of her private life.

The tapes were made by Peter Settelen, her former drama coach. Mr Burrell, who said after his arrest that he had wanted to "protect the memory" of the Princess, refused to comment yesterday. His agent said he would not be giving interviews.

Among the items seized by police were letters from the Princess to Prince William, found in a bench seat at Mr Burrell's home.